Success at Division I Level Gives Easterbrook the Edge : Titans: University president hopes hiring of new athletic director sends a ‘strong message’ to the department.

FULLERTON —  Cal State Fullerton President Milton Gordon said he was doing more than naming an athletic director Thursday when he introduced John Easterbrook as Bill Shumard’s successor.

“This isn’t just a hiring, it’s a message,” Gordon said. “I’m sending a strong message to the athletic department that the athletic program is an integral part of our overall university program.”

Gordon said he made the final decision on Easterbrook, who for the last nine years has been senior associate athletic director at Fresno State. Easterbrook, 55, was one of three finalists whose names were submitted without ranking to Gordon by a 12-member search committee. The others were Judith Davidson, athletic director at Central Connecticut State, and Jack Mehl, business manager of the Rose Bowl.

“We interviewed some really good candidates, and they were all qualified for the job,” Gordon said. “But over the weekend, I made a number of calls on my own, and I came to the conclusion that one person stood out because of his experience with a successful Division I program, and for his own personal experiences in the past.

“He has a strong budget background from his work as president and vice president of banks, and we all know how important budgets are these days. After careful consideration, it was clear to me that he was the best candidate for Cal State Fullerton. . . . He knows what’s necessary, and he can work in the community and the university. I feel great about it.”

Easterbrook said he has been “excited and enthusiastic” about Fullerton’s sports potential since he first visited the campus.

“I’m excited about being here because the people are all winners,” Easterbrook said. “In my mind, all the positives outweigh any negatives that might exist. There are some outstanding coaches already in place here, and the student-athlete base in this area is tremendous.”

Easterbrook was a banker in Laramie, Wyo., for 12 years before he decided to return to athletics. He was hired at Fresno State by Athletic Director Gary Cunningham, the former UCLA basketball coach.

Previously, Easterbrook coached football for 13 years, either as an assistant or offensive coordinator at Idaho, Oregon State, Illinois and Wyoming.

Easterbrook was known as an overachiever as a college athlete. He was a three-year starter at quarterback for Illinois in his hometown of Champaign, playing in the Big Ten at 5 feet 9 and 150 pounds in the late 1950s.

Easterbrook said he plans to start his new job “as soon as I can get here,” although no definite date has been set. Steve Murray has been interim director since Shumard left the position at the end of May. Shumard later became an assistant athletic director at Long Beach State, his alma mater.

When he does begin work, Easterbrook said his first order of business will be to consult with coaches and other staff members. “I want to hear from people and get their ideas about things, “ he said. “I believe in treating this as a family situation. If everyone is rowing the boat in the same direction, things always go better.”

Easterbrook left no doubt in his meeting with coaches and staff members earlier in the day that he wants and expects a competitive, winning program.

“If I’m going to sell people on coming here and helping us, we’re going to have to have a winning program,” he said.

Easterbrook said he thinks the school’s athletic facilities in general are good, although “there are still some things we want to do.” He declined to be specific, until he has more opportunity to study the situation, he said.

Gordon mentioned that a plan still exists to remodel the gymnasium, but that project still has not been funded by the state. Gordon also noted that this will be the first year in which the athletic program will benefit from a student fee referendum. That will amount to “a net of about $500,000,” Gordon said.

Cunningham, who hired Easterbrook as his top assistant at Fresno State, said Easterbrook’s budget and banking background especially was helpful. But equally important is that he works well with others, Cunningham said.

“I think he’ll do very well at Fullerton,” Cunningham said by telephone from Fresno. “He understands coaches because he’s been a coach himself, as well as an athlete. And he really cares about the athletes. John has good values.”

Cunningham said he gave Easterbrook a wide range of responsibilities, and he handled them all well.

“He will definitely be missed here, but I’m happy for him because I know that being an athletic director is something he’s been wanting to do,” Cunningham said.

Baseball Coach Augie Garrido, who was a member of the search committee, said he was especially encouraged by Gordon’s enthusiasm about the choice. “The fact that the president is so excited about John is really good,” Garrido said. “I think he’s very capable. This all takes teamwork, and I think he’s a team player.”

The other coach on the search committee, women’s basketball Coach Debbie Ayres, said Easterbrook’s background in the Cal State university system should enable him to adjust more quickly than someone from outside.

“We talked to several people at Fresno, and they had nothing but good things to say about him,” she said.

Softball Coach Judi Garman said she thinks Fullerton should benefit from Easterbrook’s experience at Fresno State, which has had one of the most successful athletic programs in the system. Fresno State won or shared five Western Athletic Conference championships this past year and finished second in four other sports. The Bulldogs were second in the WAC all-sports standings in their third year in the conference after leaving the Big West.

“If we can do half of what Fresno State has done, that will be great,” Garman said.